Auf Kosten der Gesundheit

Released in 2003 on BPitch Control, 'Auf Kosten der Gesundheit' (At the Expense of Health) marks the first official collaboration between Sascha Ring (Apparat) and Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary (Modeselektor). Unlike their later full-length albums which leaned into melodic indie-electronica, this EP is a seminal document of the 'Berlin Glitch' era. It prioritizes texture and rhythmic experimentation over traditional song structures. The tracks are often named after Russian or German rivers and geographical features, suggesting a cold, continental industrialism. Critically, it is viewed as a bridge between the glitch-heavy IDM of the late 90s and the more robust, bass-driven electro-house that would define Berlin in the mid-2000s. The production is characterized by heavy saturation, bit-crushing, and complex sequencing that reflects the technical limitations and creative possibilities of early digital workstations.